New Rules For Medicare Beneficiaries

The Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens, Benefits Entitlements and Advocacy Department’s benefit staff and volunteer counselors are available to assist Medicare beneficiaries during the upcoming 2012 Annual Coordination Election Period with plan option comparisons, online enrollment, Medicare cost sharing program screening, eligibility and application assistance to help with out-of-pocket premium and prescription costs.

Starting this fall, the Annual Coordinated Election Period for the 2012 plan year will be Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2011.

This is a change from previous years. During this period participants may change their Medicare plan options.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services will release Medicare Plan options offered in Pinal and Gila counties on Oct. 1, 2011.

Beginning Jan. 1 through Feb. 14, 2012, the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period will allow beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to return to traditional Medicare, with an option to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. This is also a change from previous years.

For further information and assistance, contact the BE&A Department of the Area Agency on Aging, Region V, Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens at 8969 W. McCartney Road, Casa Grande, AZ, (520) 836-2758 or 1-800-293-9393.